Root Canals

A root canal procedure is the best way to save a tooth that has been damaged by decay or injury and preserve your natural smile. The alternative is an extraction and treatment to replace the tooth. While at times a tooth is non-restorable and an extraction is the only option, when possible, it’s best to try and save your natural tooth. With proper care, a tooth with root canal therapy can serve your smile well for many years to come.

Despite lingering myths from before the age of modern dental anesthesia and technology, having a root canal procedure today is as routine and comfortable as visiting the dentist for a filling. While the procedure is performed under local anesthesia with your tooth completely numbed, we can also discuss options in dental sedation.

Whether the symptoms of a dental infection subside after a course of antibiotics, a draining abscess provides you with some temporary pain relief, or a tooth with radiographic evidence of pathology has not yet developed symptoms, it’s essential, before an infection worsens or occurs, to have a root canal procedure performed. In this way, the tooth can be disinfected, filled, and sealed to protect your health and avoid further problems.

If you have sustained a dental injury, have a toothache, jaw pain, swelling, or are experiencing any other unusual and uncomfortable oral symptoms, contact our office immediately for care. Dental problems that have not been evaluated and treated can significantly worsen, producing more severe damage and consequences for the involved teeth, your oral health, and even your overall wellbeing. Once you get in touch with our office, our friendly and compassionate office team will get you in for care at your earliest convenience.

While some root canal procedures can be completed in one visit, others may involve 2 or 3 appointments. How long it takes depends on various factors, including active infection, the number of canals in the tooth, and the tooth’s location or anatomy.

With a success rate that exceeds 95%, root canal therapy remains the most effective procedure to save a tooth in which the inner vital tissues have been damaged. However, as with all healthcare procedures, there are a small percentage of cases where the teeth become symptomatic a second time. The good news is that many of these teeth can still be saved with root canal retreatment or a minor surgical procedure known as an apicoectomy.

The best ways to maintain a tooth with root canal therapy are to get the proper restoration required to rebuild and protect the tooth, maintain proper oral hygiene, and schedule appointments for routine dental checkups and care.

Saving a tooth with root canal therapy is a wise investment that, in the long run, is typically less costly and invasive than having the tooth extracted and replaced with a fixed bridge or implant. As far as the exact cost of care, it can vary depending on which tooth is being treated. Many dental insurance plans provide coverage for root canal therapy. At the office of Judy Mejido, DMD, PA, we do our best to optimize your dental benefits and minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. Our staff will answer all your questions about the cost of care and discuss all your payment options.

At the office of Judy Mejido, DMD, PA, we use the latest technology and most effective methods of care to provide precise and gentle care. Our reputation for excellence is based upon a consistent record of achieving successful treatment outcomes while providing prompt, stress-free, and convenient treatment for every type of dental need.

Root canal therapy is a dental procedure that removes inflamed or infected tissue from inside a tooth and seals the internal spaces to prevent reinfection. The treatment targets the dental pulp, a small bundle of nerves and blood vessels that can become compromised by deep decay, cracks, or trauma. By eliminating bacteria and damaged tissue, root canal therapy relieves pain and allows the tooth to remain functional in the mouth.

Modern techniques and materials make the procedure predictable and focused on preserving natural tooth structure whenever possible. When performed correctly, root canal therapy helps maintain chewing efficiency, supports adjacent teeth, and preserves the underlying jawbone. Many treated teeth continue to function for decades with proper care and an appropriate final restoration.

A root canal removes diseased pulp and disinfects the inside of the tooth, which stops the spread of infection to surrounding bone and tissues. After cleaning and shaping the canals, the dentist fills and seals them with a biocompatible material to prevent bacteria from reentering the space. This internal restoration halts pain and stabilizes the tooth so it can remain in the mouth instead of being extracted.

Preserving the natural tooth maintains normal bite relationships, helps prevent shifting of neighboring teeth, and preserves jawbone volume. Choosing to save a tooth with root canal therapy often avoids the need for more extensive restorative procedures that would be necessary after extraction. With proper maintenance and a protective restoration, a treated tooth can provide lasting function and aesthetic stability.

Common warning signs include persistent or worsening pain, lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, and sharp pain when biting or tapping on a tooth. Other indicators are a darkened tooth, swelling or a persistent sore spot on the gums, and loosening of the tooth when supporting bone or ligaments are affected. Sometimes a tooth causes no obvious symptoms but shows changes on radiographs during a routine exam, which is why regular dental visits are important.

Early recognition and prompt evaluation increase the likelihood of saving the tooth and reduce the chance of complications such as spreading infection or significant bone loss. If you notice any persistent changes in sensation, appearance, or comfort around a particular tooth, scheduling an assessment can clarify whether root canal therapy or another treatment is needed. Timely care helps preserve tooth structure and overall oral health.

A contemporary root canal visit begins with a thorough assessment, which typically includes clinical tests and radiographs to evaluate the tooth’s anatomy and the extent of infection. The tooth is isolated to keep the area dry, and local anesthesia is administered so the procedure is comfortable; for patients with anxiety, sedation options may be available. The dentist creates a small access opening, removes the diseased pulp, cleans and shapes the canals using specialized instruments, and irrigates thoroughly to eliminate bacteria.

After preparation, the canals are filled and sealed with a biocompatible material to prevent reinfection, and a temporary or permanent restoration may be placed depending on the case. In some situations the tooth is treated in a single visit, while teeth with active infection or complex anatomy may require multiple appointments. At the office of Judy Mejido, DMD, PA, the treatment plan is tailored to the tooth’s needs and explained in detail so patients know what to expect at each visit.

Modern root canal procedures are performed under local anesthesia, which numbs the tooth and surrounding tissues so the treatment itself is generally not painful. Many patients report pressure or mild discomfort rather than sharp pain during the procedure, and dentists use techniques to maximize comfort throughout the visit. For those with dental anxiety, sedation options can further reduce stress and improve the overall experience.

Some soreness or tenderness is common for a few days after treatment as surrounding tissues heal, and over-the-counter pain relievers usually control this discomfort. If the dental team prescribes medication, it is important to follow instructions exactly and to report worsening pain or new swelling promptly. Proper post-treatment care and timely placement of a protective restoration help minimize complications and support healing.

Some teeth are straightforward and can be treated in a single visit, but others require multiple appointments due to active infection, complex canal anatomy, or the need for interim medication. When an infection is present, a dentist may place an antimicrobial dressing inside the canals and allow time for inflammation to subside before completing the final filling. Teeth with multiple or curved canals can also require additional shaping and cleaning time to ensure thorough disinfection.

Staging treatment across appointments allows the clinician to monitor healing, manage pain, and reduce the risk of persistent infection. The decision to use one or more visits is based on clinical findings and the goal of achieving a long-term, predictable outcome. Your dentist will explain the recommended schedule and the reasons behind it so you understand the path to restoration.

After root canal therapy it is important to follow the dentist’s instructions for pain management, oral hygiene, and follow-up visits to protect the treated tooth. Maintain gentle brushing and flossing around the area, avoid chewing hard or sticky foods on the treated side until a permanent restoration is placed, and complete any prescribed antibiotics exactly as directed. Keeping routine dental appointments allows the team to monitor healing and place the final restoration when appropriate.

Temporary sensitivity and mild soreness are common for a few days, but increasing pain, new swelling, or signs of infection should prompt a quick reassessment. Long-term success depends on timely placement of a protective crown or restoration and adherence to good oral hygiene. With proper care, many root-canal-treated teeth remain functional and healthy for many years.

In many cases a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy is restored with a permanent crown or an onlay to replace lost tooth structure and protect against fracture. Root-canal-treated teeth can become more brittle over time, especially if a large portion of the crown was removed for access or decay, so a protective restoration helps restore strength and function. The specific restorative option depends on the tooth’s location, remaining tooth structure, and bite forces.

Your dentist will discuss the recommended restoration and the timing for placement, which is often done soon after completion of the endodontic treatment to reduce the risk of complications. A well-fitted crown or restoration reestablishes proper chewing ability and helps ensure the longevity of the treated tooth. Ongoing maintenance and regular dental exams support the durability of both the restoration and the underlying tooth.

Root canal therapy has high success rates when performed with careful technique, proper disinfection, and an appropriate final restoration. Many treated teeth remain symptom-free and functional for decades, and some last a lifetime with routine dental care. Success depends on factors such as the tooth’s anatomy, the extent of infection prior to treatment, and how promptly the tooth is restored after therapy.

Regular follow-up examinations and periodic radiographs help detect any changes early so they can be addressed before causing major issues. If a previously treated tooth develops new symptoms or radiographic changes, retreatment or additional procedures may be considered to preserve the tooth. Maintaining good oral hygiene and attending scheduled dental visits support long-term outcomes for root-canal-treated teeth.

You should seek prompt evaluation if you experience persistent or severe tooth pain, prolonged sensitivity to temperature, swelling near a tooth, a darkening tooth, or new mobility of a tooth. These signs can indicate that the pulp is inflamed or infected, and delaying care increases the risk of spreading infection and bone loss. Routine exams can also reveal problems before symptoms appear, so regular dental visits are an important part of early detection.

If you notice concerning symptoms, contact Judy Mejido, DMD, PA to schedule an assessment so the team can determine the cause and recommend the most appropriate treatment. Early diagnosis improves the likelihood of saving the natural tooth and reduces the need for more extensive interventions later on. Timely care helps protect both oral health and overall well-being.